Well there was a lot of back and forth amongst fans and analysts, but in the end Miami safety always made the most sense for Big Blue, and he will indeed be a Giant in 2008, going to New York at No. 30, the last selection of the first round.

Via ESPN.com:

Strengths: Continues to add bulk to his frame while maintaining competitive speed for the position. Changes directions well, shows good burst out of cuts and is capable of matching up with slot receivers as well as tight ends in man coverage. Times jumps well, fights for the ball while it’s in the air and can come down with jump balls. He fills hard when he reads run, closes well and looks to make the occasional kill shot when it’s lined up. Flashes ability to read routes well, shows good range in zone coverage when he diagnoses the play on time and he has enough athleticism to cover the deep middle on those occasions. Vocal, gets teammates into position …

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For the second time in two years, the Jets have traded up in the first round to grab a player they coveted.

Last year, Gang Green moved into the No. 14 slot to select cornerback Darrelle Revis. This afternoon/ evening, the Jets traded their 2nd and 4th round picks to the Green Bay Packers, using the No. 30 pick to select Purdue TE Dustin Keller. The Jets may not know who they’ll line up at quarterback next season, but whoever it is, he’ll now have another weapon down the field.

ESPN‘s analysis:

Strengths: Very athletic pass-catching weapon. Settles into soft spots when reads zone coverage and uses frame to shield defenders from the ball. Flashes the ability to make the tough catch in traffic and has the potential to develop into a productive red zone target. Lacks ideal explosiveness but changes directions well and runs adequate routes. He will generate yards after catch. Shows a second gear when tracking the ball downfield, knows when to turn …

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Guess Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo won’t be headed to Big Blue.

The New England Patriots selected Mayo with the 10th overall pick after swapping selections with New Orleans.

Presumably this renders Dan Connor the next best bet for the Giants if they plan on selecting a linebacker in the first round.

For more on both Mayo and Connor, check out Ed Valentine’s analysis here.

Tom Brady, look out.

With the No. 6 overall pick, the Jets have selected Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston.

Hot Stove New York’s Ian Hastings had the following to say on Gholston back in March when he implored management to pass on Darren McFadden:

Jets brass might want to consider selecting Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston with the sixth pick to sure up a fledgling pass rush that was ranked 29th last season. The 6-3, 266 lbs Gholston would most assuredly provide Gang Green with a book-end pass rush; joining newly acquired linebacker Calvin Pace. The athleticism of the two would create havoc for opposing offensive lines and create turnovers, something that last season’s defensive unit struggled to do.

ESPN‘s take:

Strengths: Has the physical tools to develop into an every-down impact defender in the NFL. Possesses adequate height and bulk, but few prospects have a better physique. Very little body fat. Powerfully built with explosive strength for his size. Displays very good initial burst  not elite level of Dwight …

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A lot of people thought Glenn Dorsey could go as high as No. 2 in this draft, but instead he slips (if you can even call it that) to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 5 overall.

Things have broken pretty well for the Jets, who are on the clock now. Vernon Gholston, the player that some felt fit Gang Green the best all along, is sitting there for the tacking. There’s still a chance the Jets could trade down, but I say they grab Gholston here.

Anyway, ESPN‘s take on Dorsey:

Strengths: A squatty defensive tackle prospect with a thick build and very good quickness. Anticipates the snap well, explodes out of his stance and generally will win one-on-one battles with his initial burst. He plays with a non-stop motor. Stays active, using swim and rip moves to get off of blocks when necessary. Displays good upper-body power and the ability to knock linemen back on their heels with initial pop. Does a fine job of locating the …

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Well so much for that, Jets fans. We’ll never know if Gang Green was willing to take a chance on the explosive but troubled Darren McFadden, or if character issues proved too large a concern for Team Tangini. That’s because McFadden is off the board and headed for Oakland following his selection at No. 4 overall.

Via ESPN:

Strengths: Phenomenal athlete. Possesses good height and adequate bulk (better upper-body than lower-body). Rare burst for his size; no play better illustrates that second-gear better than his 73-yard touchdown run in the third quarter versus LSU. He runs with good vision and great patience but explodes through the line of scrimmage once he finds the crease. Very few NFL runners possess his type of second-gear to bounce runs outside and to run away from defenders in the open field. Very fluid in space and can change directions without losing much momentum at all. He can be a powerful runner with a full head of steam. Exceptional stiff arm. Very strong upper …

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The Michael Vick Era is officially over in Atlanta. Well, I guess it already was officially over, but now it’s officially official with the Falcons’ selection of QB Matt Ryan at No. 3 overall.

There had been some whispers that the Jets may have had at least a passing interest in Ryan were he to fall to them at No. 6, however, now we’ll never know whether or not that interest was legitimate or merely a smoke screen.

ESPN‘s breakdown of Ryan:

Strengths: Absolutely looks the part of an NFL quarterback. Is tall enough to scan the entire field from within the pocket and is sturdy enough to withstand the pounding at the next level. Is extremely intelligent and has a tremendous work ethic. Picked up new scheme as a senior very quickly. Displays excellent footwork and delivery. Shows good touch and timing as a passer. takes something off underneath passes and can lead receiver when throwing underneath. Overall accuracy is good and shows the ability to throw accurately on …

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Kinda funny to watch the NFL go through the whole selection process with Jake Long, when he was introduced as the Dolphin’s No. 1 pick in a press conference on Tuesday.

However with those formalities out of the way, we can now move onto the real action. With the No. 2 overall selection, the St. Louis Rams grabbed Virginia DE Chris Long, son of Firestorm star Howie Long.

ESPN break it down:

Strengths: One of the most versatile and polished prospects in the 2008 class. Possesses adequate height with outstanding bulk and all around strength. Can play DE in three-and-four man front, and also projects favorably as a 3-4 OLB. Displays explosive power with initial punch. He shows very first-step quickness, fires out with leverage and does a great job of knocking offensive linemen back with his initial pop. Displays outstanding power and technique in his club and rip moves. Does a fine job of protecting his lower body. Extremely powerful bull rush. Frequently will …

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Yankees reliever Brian Bruney could be lost for the season, according to the Daily News’ Mark Feinsand.

Bruney, currently on the shelf with a foot injury, visited a specialist in New York on Friday who recommended surgery to repair an injury to the Lisfranc joint in his right foot. I’m not sure what that is, but evidently its pretty important.

Bruney has not yet decided whether or not to have the surgery.

Meanwhile, the Yanks have recalled righthander Jonathan Albaladejo, as well as righty Chris Britton after designating catcher Chad Moeller for assignment. Kyle Farnsworth and Ross Ohlendorf are both currently unavailable in the Yankees’ bullpen.

I don’t like to do mock drafts. You have probably figured that out by the fact that I have not yet done one. I’m not a big fan since I think they are mostly just guesswork.

Since today is Draft Day, though, I thought I would take a stab at it. So, here is my Mock Draft. By tonight, we will know how I did.

1. Miami, Jake Long (OT, Michigan)
2. St. Louis, Chris Long (DE, Virginia)
3. Atlanta, Matt Ryan (QB, Boston College)
4. Oakland, Darren McFadden (RB, Arkansas)
5. Kansas City, Vernon Gholston (DE, Ohio State)
6. New York Jets, Glenn Dorsey (DT, LSU)
7. New England, Keith Rivers (OLB, USC)
8. Baltimore, Leodis McKelvin (CB, Troy State)
9. Cincinnati, Sedrick Ellis (DT, USC)
10. New Orleans, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB, Tennessee State)
11. Buffalo, Devin Thomas (WR, Michigan State)
12. Denver, Brandon Albert (OG, Virginia)
13. Carolina, Ryan Clady (OT, Boise State)
14. Chicago, Chris Williams (OT, Vanderbilt)
15. Detroit, Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois)
16. Arizona, Mike Jenkins (CB, South Florida)
17. Kansas City, Antoine Cason (CB, Arizona)
18. Houston, Derrick Harvey (DE, Florida)
19. Philadelphia, Limas Sweed …

Last time the Yankees were in Cleveland was last October. It was the infamous “Bug Game.” A game the Yanks thought they were going to win but ended up losing, thus turning around the series in the Indians favor as they won the ALDS in four games.

The starter in the “Bug Game” was Andy Pettitte. He was also last night’s starter in the return to the Jake (excuse me, Progressive Field). Last October saw Andy at his best , last night was a different story. Jason Giambi who was stuck in a season long slump busted out of it in a big way hitting two monster homeruns giving Andy and the Yanks a 3-1 lead. Reliable Andy couldn’t hold the lead. Iin the bottom of the fifth and two outs, the Indians mounted a rally that turned the game around and led to a 6-4 Indians win. Jhonny Peralta hit a three-run homerun to left and Franklin Gutierrez follow with a homerun of his own.

“I made some bad pitches …

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